Historical context of the Mexican Revolution

The Mexican Revolution is a fundamental chapter in the history of Mexico that marked a profound change in the social, political and economic structure of the country. For almost a decade, from 1910 to 1920, Mexico was mired in an internal struggle that sought to overthrow the Porfirian dictatorship and establish a more just and equitable government. This revolution, characterized by its diversity of leaders, ideologies, and objectives, left an indelible mark on the very fabric of the Mexican nation.

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Background and Context

At the end of the 19th century, Mexico lived under the prolonged rule of Porfirio Díaz , a period known as the " Porfiriato ". For more than three decades, Díaz ruled with a firm hand, seeking to modernize the country through foreign investment and infrastructure development, such as railways and telegraphy. Although these measures seemed to indicate progress, the reality was much more complex.

Economic growth and modernization under the Porfiriato brought deep inequalities. While the elites and foreign investors accumulated wealth, the majority of the Mexican population, mostly peasants and workers, continued to live in precarious conditions. The concentration of land in the hands of a few wealthy landowners left peasants without access to land and without significant economic opportunities.

The Díaz regime was also characterized by a lack of political participation and the repression of dissident voices. The lack of real democracy was perpetuated through rigged elections and press censorship. This restriction of political freedoms and the lack of channels for the public expression of concerns led to growing discomfort and discontent in different sectors of Mexican society. Resistance movements began to take shape in different parts of the country. The voice of the peasants who clamored for the restitution of their lost lands was echoed in the calls of leaders like Emiliano Zapata in the south of Mexico. At the same time, in the north, the charismatic figure of Francisco " Pancho" Villa stood up against injustice and the concentration of power.

In an international context, revolutionary ideas and struggles for social justice were spreading. The Russian Revolution of 1917 and other similar movements inspired Mexican intellectuals and activists, fueling the idea that radical change was possible.

The final trigger was growing frustration with Díaz's re-election in 1910. Francisco I. Madero, a landowner and businessman, became the leader of the political resistance against Díaz. Madero launched a call for rebellion, which marked the beginning of the Mexican Revolution. Madero's revolt was supported by different groups and leaders with diverse motivations, from the desire for a more representative democracy to the demand for deep economic and social reforms.

Causes and Actors

The revolution was driven by various causes, including economic inequality, lack of access to land for peasants, restricted political rights, and the concentration of power in a privileged elite. In addition, discontent was exacerbated by the influence of thinkers and activists, as well as the spread of revolutionary ideologies internationally.

The actors who participated in the revolution were varied and represented different strata of Mexican society. From peasant leaders like Emiliano Zapata, who fought for the restitution of peasant land, to Francisco Madero, who advocated democracy and free elections, each had their own vision of what the new nation should look like.

Development and Stages

The Mexican Revolution unfolded in a series of stages marked by different events, leaders, and objectives. These stages reveal the complexity and constant evolution of a conflict that spanned almost a decade of struggle and transformation.

1. Initial Stage (1910-1911): Madero and the Fall of Díaz

The initial uprising, led by Francisco I. Madero, had as its main objective to end the regime of Porfirio Díaz and establish free elections. Madero proclaimed the Plan of San Luis Potosí in 1910, calling for an armed insurrection against Díaz. Although this stage focused on the fight for political change and Díaz's resignation, other leaders with diverse agendas also emerged, such as Emiliano Zapata and Pascual Orozco.

2. Fragmentation Stage (1911-1913): Struggle for Power

Díaz's resignation in 1911 did not automatically lead to stability. Rather than join forces, the revolutionary leaders clashed over control of the government. Madero assumed the presidency, but his tenure was challenged by a variety of groups, including those led by Zapata in the south and Villa in the north. These leaders had different goals, from land reform to regional self-determination.

3. Constitutionalist Stage (1913-1917): The Constitution of 1917

The struggle for power continued, and the country descended into violence and instability. In 1913 Madero was assassinated and Victoriano Huerta seized power. This provoked a new uprising, known as the Tragic Ten, led by Venustiano Carranza and supported by Álvaro Obregón. Carranza became the leader of the constitutionalist movement, which sought the restoration of constitutional order and the creation of a new constitution.

In 1917, the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States was promulgated, which included many of the demands of the revolution, such as the guarantee of labor rights, agrarian reform, and secular education. Although the Constitution was a major achievement, the struggle for power continued and the revolution turned into a civil war between different factions.

4. Consolidation Stage (1917-1920): Obregón and Calles

The internal struggle finally began to calm down with the rise of Álvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles. These leaders managed to unify the revolutionary forces under the movement known as "Sonorenses". Through clever military and political strategies, they managed to consolidate their power and defeat other factions. In 1920, Obregón became president, marking the end of the main armed hostilities of the Mexican Revolution.

The Mexican Revolution had a lasting impact on Mexican society. One of the most important legacies was the promulgation of the 1917 Constitution, which established labor rights, secular and free education, and land redistribution. These reforms laid the foundations for greater social equity and a more representative government. In addition, the revolution inspired social movements around the world and served as an example of resistance against oppression. The iconography of the revolution, such as the face of Emiliano Zapata and Pancho Villa, became symbols of the fight for justice and equality.